An excellent session today hearing from young people raised in kinship care.

Thanks to Isaac, Jamie, Mollie, Rosa, Maggie, Pauline & Laura from Kinship Carers Liverpool and to Kyle & Sharon from Families in Harmony.

We were joined by National Kinship Ambassador Jahnine Davis too.

Across England and Wales this week, communities are celebrating the vital role of grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters, and family friends - who step up in extraordinary ways to keep children safely in their family. #KinshipCareWeek

Our 2nd spotlight session yesterday on kinship families raising children with special educational needs & disabilities.

@lucypeake.bsky.social Kinship
@annabirdfr.bsky.social @contactfamilies.bsky.social
Johanna Bernard #FamiliesInHarmony
Kate Cox #IPSEA
Brian Roberts @nationalfasd.bsky.social

🗓️Today's the day - our APPG's second spotlight session on special educational needs and disabilities. All MPs and Peers are welcome. Please contact Jordan on jhall@frg.org.uk.

This week our APPG will hold a second spotlight session on kinship families raising children with special educational needs and disabilities💡

We will hear evidence from
@contactfamilies.bsky.social
#FamiliesInHarmony
#Kinship
#IPSEA
@nationalfasd.bsky.social

💡In our first spotlight session on special educational needs and disabilities, our Group heard from kinship carers across England about their experiences navigating the #SEND system.

As the Government prepares its proposals for reform, our APPG is working to ensure kinship voices are heard.

Today the Government has announced the Parental Leave and Pay Review.

Our APPG strongly welcomes the inclusion of kinship families in the Review's remit.

Group Chair @melanieonnmp.bsky.social responds:

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Kinship Care welcomes the £50 million extension to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund for 2025-26, announced by @janetdaby.bsky.social in response to an urgent question from APPG Vice Chair @munirawilson.bsky.social today.

Read our statement:

At #PMQs today APPG Vice Chair @munirawilson.bsky.social raised the imminent cliff edge in funding for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.

Our APPG received a reply from @janetdaby.bsky.social on the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund.

"I recognise the importance of continuity in therapy, and we are committed to providing clarity on ASGSF funding at the earliest possible opportunity."

Read the full letter below:

Over in the House of Lords, APPG Member Lord Hannay also raised the future of the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund with Education Minister Jacqui Smith, following discussion at yesterday's APPG session.

Today @tessamunt.bsky.social urgently asked Leader of the Commons @lucympowell.bsky.social for an update on the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund.

Our APPG has heard the current funding uncertainty beyond March 2025 is leaving many kinship families in limbo.

@janetdaby.bsky.social

Thanks to kinship carers Shanayd and Clare for
sharing their experience with our APPG today. The session focused on the urgent need for clarity on the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund with funding yet to be confirmed beyond this month. Also, next steps on the kinship local offer.

The ambiguity around funding beyond March for the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund is leaving kinship families in limbo.

Last week the APPG's officers wrote to Children's Minister @janetdaby.bsky.social about ensuring children in kinship care can access essential therapeutic support.

📨Read a round up of the Group's work since the general election

mailchi.mp/8091321ee67e...

Our APPG has written to Children’s Minister
@janetdaby.bsky.social with questions about the Government's plans around financial support for kinship families, including:
the kinship financial allowances pilot
inequalities in special guardianship allowance provision

Read:
frg.org.uk/wp-content/u...

This morning APPG Vice Chair @munirawilson.bsky.social has questioned Minister Justin Madders on introducing a right to paid employment leave for kinship carers.

Munira, alongside Steve Darling MP &
@sarahgibsonmp.bsky.social have also tabled amendments to the Employment Rights Bill to that effect

This week our Group met with the recently appointed National Kinship Care Ambassador, Jahnine Davis, to discuss her role and priorities.

We also heard from Lib Dem MPs Munira Wilson and Steve Darling on their amendment to the Employment Rights Bill for paid kinship care leave.